Nirbhay: India's first indigenously developed long range sub-sonic cruise missile

Apr 30, 2015, 11.04 AM IST

Nirbhay missile

Smriti Jain & Pragya Swastik, Economictimes.com

Nirbhay is India's first indigenously designed and developed long range sub-sonic cruise missile, which was successfully tested in October 2014. "The entire mission, from lift-off till the final splash down was a perfect flight achieving all the mission objectives," DRDO said.

We take a look at what's special about the sub-sonic missile. Also, don't forget to watch breathtaking videos of the test launch towards the end of the slideshow:

Image by DRDO

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1000 kilometre class cruise missile

The cruise missile Nirbhay, is powered by a solid rocket motor booster developed by the Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL).

The 1000 kilometre class cruise missile with capability to strike deep in to the enemy territory, has been designed and developed by DRDO at its aeronautics R&D laboratory ADE.

Screengrab of Nirbhay video provided by DRDO

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Need for a sub-sonic missile

According to Ravi Gupta, Director of Public Interface at DRDO, India needs a sub-sonic long-range missile to ensure that it can target deep within the enemy's territory.

"Cruise missiles can fly like an aircraft and take detours. Sub-sonic cruise missiles are able to fly at very low altitudes, close to the earth, without being detected," Gupta told Economictimes.com.

Image by DRDO

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Technology Demonstrator

Since the Nirbhay missile project is still in the Technology Demonstrator stage, Gupta said that no cost estimates can be provided. "The exact cost will depend on the end product which will be made based on the requirements of the user (government)," he said.

"Modifications can be made in the indigenously developed launcher and in the missile itself, based on the specifications given," he added.

Screengrab of Nirbhay video provided by DRDO

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Multiple platforms

Nirbhay is being designed in a manner so that it can be launched from multiple platforms including land, sea, aircraft and under water. The missile that was tested in October 2014, was launched from land.

Image by DRDO

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Autonomous

The missile is fully autonomous. Soon after its launch, the missile's booster motor (required for the launch), gets separated.

Screengrab of Nirbhay video provided by DRDO

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Further propulsion

As the missile glides along with the help of fin like wings, its turbofan engine automatically gets switched on taking over the further propulsion.